Operating apparatus for game machine

ABSTRACT

An operating apparatus for game machine includes a depressing member, and a main body of the depressing member is provided with three engaging protrusions and two depressing protrusions that downwardly protrude. For example, the two depressing protrusions are provided between the three engaging protrusions. In response to a beating operation by a player, the right side of the depressing member is depressed, and then, an engaging portion of the engaging protrusion at the left side is engaged with a rear surface of an upper surface panel. Accordingly, the depressing member is sure to be depressed at the right side without being upwardly actuated, and a rubber switch depressed by the depressing protrusion is brought into contact with a board. At this time, a contact provided on the board and a contact provided on the rubber switch are brought into contact with each other, and an operation signal according to the beating operation is output to the game machine.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to operating apparatus for game machines.More specifically, the present invention relates to an operatingapparatus for a game machine that outputs an operation signal to a gamemachine in response to a beating (i.e., percussion) operation by anoperator.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An example of this kind of a conventional operating apparatus for a gamemachine is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-open No. 2001-276421[A63F 13/00, A63F 13/06, G10H 1/34, H01H 13/18] laid-open on Oct. 9,2001. The input device for a game machine is provided with a pluralityof input areas each of which has a pressure sensor and a vibrationsensor. Then, when the input area is beaten, a different sound for eachinput area is generated.

Another example of this kind of an operating apparatus for a gamemachine is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-open No. 2000-157736[A63F 13/00, G06F 1/16, G06F 3/02, G06K 17/00, G06K 19/00] laid-open onJun. 13, 2000. In the PC-card-shaped input device for a game, a concaveportion is provided at side walls of a housing having a PC cardstandardized size, and a signal cable is wrapped around the concaveportion. Thus, it is possible to house the PC-card-shaped input devicein a card slot of a notebook computer, and this allows the input deviceto be easily portable together with the notebook personal computer.

The other example of this kind of an operating apparatus for a gamemachine is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-open No. 2000-172377[G06F 1/18, G06F 1/16, G06F 15/02] laid-open on Jun. 23, 2000. Theelectronic equipment is provided with a cable that is fixed to theequipment at one end and has a connector to be connected at the otherend, and a housing portion capable of housing the cable and theconnector. A cable housing part of the housing portion has a housinggroove with a width that is able to house the cable snaking at a bendingradius more than a permissible bending radius of a cable. Thus, thecable is held by a restoring force of the cable housed in the snakinggroove in a normal state.

However, in the above-described input device for a game machine, thepressure sensor and the vibration sensor are provided to each of theplurality of input areas, and therefore, the device itself is expensive.In such an input device, it may be possible that a membrane switch isapplied. However, a problem occurs when a membrane switch is applied. Arelatively high load needs to be applied per unit area, causing adifficulty in operation when playing the game.

In the above-described PC-card-shaped input device for game, a problemstill remains. If the PC card is also carried together with the notebookcomputer in addition to the PC-card-shaped input device for game, thePC-card-shaped input device for game cannot be housed within the cardslot, and cannot be put in a computer bag because it is bulky. In such acase, further problems occur because the PC-card-shaped input device hasto be carried separately, therefore, the cable can become disengage dueto the weight of the connector, making transportation difficult.

In the above-described electronic equipment, due to the space requiredfor forming the snaking groove, the housing increases in size, causing aproblem. Another problem is that if the bending radius of the snakinggroove is set to an optimum value, the cable is easily disengaged, orthe cable is easily broken due to an excessive load (stress), causingdifficulties with the equipment's practicality.

Therefore, it is a primary feature of the illustrative embodiments toprovide a novel operating apparatus for a game machine.

Another feature of the illustrative embodiments is to provide an inputapparatus for a game machine capable of input from a small load andcosting less.

Another feature of the illustrative embodiments is to provide anoperating apparatus for a game machine capable of assuredly housing acable and a connector with a simple structure and reducing the size ofthe input apparatus itself.

An operating apparatus for a game machine according to an illustrativeembodiment is used by being connected to a game machine. The operatingapparatus for a game machine, comprising: a housing provided with aplurality of holes on its surface; an operation input portion that isprovided on an upper surface of the housing and is elastically changedin response to a beating operation by an operator; a depressing memberthat is placed between the housing and the operation input portion, onwhich a plurality of engaging protrusions that engage an inside wall ofthe housing through the holes of the housing are provided at both endsthereof in such a manner as to be downwardly protruded, and on which aplurality of depressing protrusions are provided in such a manner as toprotrude downward between the plurality of engaging protrusions; a boardhoused within the housing; at least more than one elastic member that ishoused within the housing such that its surface is exposed through thehole of the housing, arranged at a position opposed to the depressingprotrusion, and has a rear surface that is opposed to the board; a firstcontact formed on the rear surface of the elastic member; a secondcontact formed in a manner so as to oppose the first contact on theboard, wherein the depressing member is depressed in response to abeating operation by the operator, the elastic member is depressed bythe depressing protrusion, the first contact is brought into contactwith the second contact, whereby an operation signal is output.

More specifically, the operating apparatus for a game machine (10: areference numeral corresponding in the “preferred embodiment” describedlater) is connected to the game machine, and used for selecting a gameor operating the game. The housings (14, 16) of the operating apparatusfor a game machine (10) each have the plurality of holes (30 a, 30 b,120 b). The operation input portions (20, 22) respectively provided onthe upper surfaces of the housings (14, 16) are elastically changedaccording to a beating operation by the operator. The depressing members(32, 34) are provided between each of the housings (14, 16) and each ofthe operation input portions (20, 22). The depressing members (32, 34)are provided with the plurality of engaging protrusions (32 b, 34 b)that engage the inside wall (rear surface of an upper surface panel 120a in this embodiment) of each of the housings (14, 16) through the holes(30 a, 120 b) of the housing at both ends thereof such that they aredownwardly protruded. Furthermore, the depressing members (32, 34) areprovided with the plurality of depressing protrusions (32 c, 34 c) insuch a manner as to be downwardly protruded between the plurality ofengaging protrusions (32 b, 34 b). The housings (14, 16) each house theboards (24, 26). At least more than one elastic member (28) that ishoused within each of the housings (14, 16) such that its surface isexposed through the hole (30 b) of each of the housings (14, 16) at aposition opposed to the depressing protrusions (32 c, 34 c) is providedto be opposed to the board (24, 26). That is, the depressing members(32, 34) are supported by the elastic members (28). The first contacts(28 a) are provided on the rear surface of the elastic members (28), andthe second contacts (24 a and 26 a) are provided on the boards (24, 26)respectively in such a manner as to be opposed to the first contacts (28a). For example, when the depressing members (32, 34) are depressed inresponse to the beating operation by the operator (such as a player or auser), the engaging protrusions (32 b, 34 b), except for the depressedpart and its surrounding, engages the inside surface of the housing (14,16). Accordingly, the depressing members (32, 34) are depressed withoutbeing upwardly actuated, the elastic member (28) is depressed by thedepressing protrusions (32 c, 34 c), and the first contacts (28 a) andthe second contacts (24 a and 24 b) are brought into contact with eachother. This allows an operation signal to be output to the game machine.

According to an illustrative embodiment, it is possible to prevent thedepressing members from being upwardly actuated by the engagingprotrusions, and therefore, even if the operator beats any place of theoperation input portion, the depressing protrusions assuredly depressesthe elastic member, capable of outputting the same operation signal.Therefore, it is possible to improve operational abilities. Furthermore,the depressing members are supported by only the elastic members, whichmakes it possible to operate with a relatively low load.

In one aspect of an illustrative embodiment, an operating apparatus fora game machine, further comprising: a cable that is connected to theinside of the housing at one end and has a connector to be connected tothe game machine at other end; a first housing concave portion formed onthe other main surface of the housing and houses the cable and theconnector, wherein the first housing concave portion is provided with aplurality of pinch protrusions for pinching both sides of the cable at aposition where the cable is housed. More specifically, the operatingapparatus for game machine (10) is connected to the game machine (100)by the cable (38). The cable (38) is connected to the inside of thehousing (14 or 16; the third housing 18 in this embodiment) at the oneend and has a connector (36) to be connected to the game machine (100)at the other end. On the other main surface (124) of each of thehousings (14, 16), the first housing concave portion (124 a) for housingthe cable (38) and the connector (36) is provided. The first housingconcave portion (124 a) is provided with the plurality of pinchprotrusions (124 b) for pinching the both sides of the cable (38) at theposition where the cable (38) is housed. Thus, the first housing concaveportion is provided with the pinch protrusions for pinching both sidesof the cable so that it is possible to prevent the cable from beingdisengaged and capable of housing and holding the cable and theconnector with a simple structure. Furthermore, it is possible to reducethe size of the apparatus itself when it is stored.

In one illustrative embodiment, the plurality of pinch protrusions areformed in such a manner as to be shifted from each other on both sidesurfaces of the first housing concave portion. More specifically, theplurality of pinch protrusions (124 b) are formed in such a manner as tobe shifted from each other on both side surfaces of the first housingconcave portion (124 a). Accordingly, the cable (38) is held as if itsnakes by the plurality of pinch protrusions (124 b). Thus, by therestoring force of the cable to the normal state, the cable and theconnector are sure to be held. This allows the operating apparatus for agame machine to be easily portable.

In another illustrative embodiment, an operating apparatus for a gamemachine, wherein, the operation input portion has a first operationinput portion and a second operation input portion, the housing includesa first housing provided with the first operation input portion, and asecond housing provided with the second operation input portion andhaving approximately the same size as the first housing, and a thirdhousing to be coupled with the first housing and the second housing andbeing smaller than the first housing and the second housing, wherein thefirst housing concave portion is formed on at least one of the firsthousing and the second housing, the second housing concave portion isformed due to a difference between a size of the first housing and thesecond housing and a size of the third housing, the cable extends fromthe third housing, the cable is wrapped around the third housing so asto be housed within the second housing concave portion, the connectorand a part of the cable are fitted into the first concave portion, andwhereby, the cable and the connector are housed and held. Morespecifically, the operation input portion (20, 22) includes the firstoperation input portion (20) and the second operation input portion(22). The housing (14, 16, 18) consists of the first housing (14), thesecond housing (16), and the third housing (18). The first housing (14)is provided with the first operation input portion (20). The secondhousing (16) has approximately the same size (shape) as the firsthousing (14), and the second housing (16) is provided with the secondoperation input portion (22). The third housing (18) couples the firsthousing (14) and the second housing (16), and is smaller than them. Thedifference in size provides the second concave portion, that is, anarrow part (128) to the operating apparatus for a game machine (10),and the cable (38) extends from the third housing (18). Accordingly, thecable (38) is wrapped around the third housing (18) so as to be housedwithin the second housing concave portion (128), and then, the connector(36) and a part of the cable (38) are fitted into the first housingconcave portion (124 a), and whereby, the cable (38) and the connector(36) are housed and held. Thus, the cable is wrapped around the secondhousing concave portion, and part of the cable and the connector arefitted into the first housing concave portion. Therefore, this makes itpossible to prevent the cable and the connector from being disengagedfrom the housing, so the cable and connector are capable of beingeffectively housed.

In another illustrative embodiment, an operating apparatus for the gamemachine, wherein the first operation input portion and the secondoperation input portion are respectively provided on upper surfaces ofthe first housing and the second housing, and the first housing concaveportion is formed on the bottom surface of at least one of the firsthousing and the second housing. More specifically, the first operationinput portion (20) is provided on the upper surface of the first housing(14), and the second operation input portion (22) is provided on theupper surface of the second housing (16). On the other hand, the firsthousing concave portion (124 a) is provided on the bottom surface (124)of the first housing (14) or the bottom surface (124) of the secondhousing (16) or the both thereof. That is, the first housing concaveportion is provided on the bottom surface of the housing, capable ofpreventing the concave portion from being conspicuous when using theoperating apparatus for a game machine.

In another illustrative embodiment, an operating apparatus for a gamemachine, further comprising: a first connecting means formed on thethird housing; and a second connecting means detachably connected to thefirst connecting means and formed on the second housing, wherein whenthe first connecting means and the second connecting means are directlyconnected with each other, the first housing and the second housing canbe utilized as one operating apparatus for a game machine, and when thefirst connecting means and the second connecting means are indirectlyconnected, the first housing and the second housing are separately usedas two operating apparatuses for game machine. More specifically, thefirst connecting means (18 a) is formed on the third housing (18), andthe second connecting means (16 a) is formed on the second housing (16).The first connecting means (18 a) and the second connecting means (16 a)are detachably connected with each other. For example, when the firstconnecting means (18 a) and the second connecting means (16 a) aredirectly connected with each other, the first housing (14) and thesecond housing (16) can be used as one operating apparatus for a gamemachine. On the other hand, when the first connecting means (18 a) andthe second connecting means (16 a) are indirectly connected by theconnecting cable (40) and so on, the first housing (14) and the secondhousing (16) can be used separately as two operating apparatuses for agame machine (10 a, 10 b). Thus, the first housing and the secondhousing are detachably connected, and this allows one operatingapparatus for a game machine to be used separately as two apparatuses.Accordingly, if two players enjoy playing a game for example, eachplayer's ability to operate is not reduced.

In another illustrative embodiment, in a situation where the firsthousing and the second housing are used separately as two operatingapparatuses for a game machine, a connecting cable for connecting to thefirst connecting means is detachably connected to the second connectingmeans. More specifically, in a situation where the first housing (14)and the second housing (16) are used separately as two operatingapparatuses for a game machine, the connecting cable (40) for connectingto the first connecting means (18 a) is detachably connected to thesecond connecting means (16 a). That is, an operation signal from theoperation input portion (22) of the second housing (22) is input to thegame machine (100) through the third housing (18). Accordingly, in asituation where the first housing and the second housing are usedseparately from each other, the first connecting means and the secondconnecting means can detachably be connected with the cable.

In another illustrative embodiment, an operating apparatus for a gamemachine, further comprising: a sound input portion provided on an uppersurface of the third housing for inputting a sound to be generated bythe operator, wherein an operation signal according to a sound input bythe sound input portion is output. More specifically, the sound inputportion (66) such as a microphone is provided on the upper surface ofthe third housing (18) to output the operation signal corresponding tothe sound of clapping or a voice by the operator. It is noted that thesound input portion (66) does not need to be provided on the uppersurface of the third housing (18), and this may alternately be providedat an area where it is easy for the operator to input his clapping andvoice except for where the operation input portions (20, 22) will besubjected to the beating operation. Accordingly, an operation signal bythe beating operation as well as an operation signal by the sound suchas clapping can be output, and this extends the range of an operation,capable of realizing more complex and interesting operations.

An operating apparatus for a game machine according to anotherillustrative embodiment is used by being connected to the game machine.The operating apparatus for a game machine comprises a housing; anoperation input portion provided on one main surface of the housing; acable that is connected to an inside of the housing at one end and has aconnector to be connected to the game machine at other end; a housingconcave portion formed on the other main surface of the housing, thathouses the cable and the connector, wherein the housing concave portionis provided with a plurality of protrusions for pinching both sides ofthe cable at a position where the cable is housed.

In this illustrative embodiment, similar to the above-describedillustrative embodiment, it is possible to house and hold the cable andthe connector with a simple structure which prevents the cable frombeing disengaged, thereby reducing the size of the apparatus.

An operating apparatus for a game machine according to the otherillustrative embodiment is used by being connected to the game machine.The operating apparatus for a game machine, comprising: a first housingprovided with a first operation input portion on its main surface; asecond housing provided with a second operation input portion on itsmain surface; a first connecting means formed in the first housing; asecond connecting means that is detachably connected to the firstconnecting means and is formed on the second housing, wherein when thefirst connecting means and the second connecting means are directlyconnected with each other, the first housing and the second housing canbe utilized as one operating apparatus for game machine, and when thefirst connecting means and the second connecting means are indirectlyconnected, the first housing and the second housing are used separatelyas two operating apparatuses for a game machine.

In the other illustrative embodiment also, similarly to theabove-described illustrative embodiment, the first housing and thesecond housing are detachably connected with each other. This allows oneoperating apparatus for a game machine to be used separately as twooperating apparatuses for a game machine.

In another aspect of the illustrative embodiment, an operating apparatusfor a game machine, further comprising: a first cable connected to aninside of the first housing at one end and having a connector to beconnected to the game machine at the other end; a second cabledetachably connected to the second connecting means at one end andhaving a connector to be connected to the first connecting means atother end, wherein, in a situation where the first housing and thesecond housing are used separately as two operating apparatuses for agame machine, the second cable is detachably connected to the secondconnecting means.

In this illustrative embodiment also, similarly to the above-describedillustrative embodiment, in a situation where the first housing and thesecond housing are used separately, the first connecting means and thesecond connecting means can be detachably connected by the cable.

An operating apparatus for a game machine according to anotherillustrative embodiment is used by being connected to the game machine.The operating apparatus for a game machine, comprising: a housing; abeating operation input portion that is provided on one main surface ofthe housing and elastically changed according to a beating operation byan operator; a sound input portion provided on an area different from anarea provided with the beating operation input portion of the housingand for inputting a sound generated by the operation; and an operationsignal transmitting means for transmitting to the game machine at leastany one beating operation signal to be output in response to the beatingoperation at the beating operation input portion and the soundgenerating operation signal to be output in response to a sound input bythe sound input portion.

In this illustrative embodiment also, similarly to the above-describedillustrative embodiment, an operation signal by the beating operation aswell as a sound generation signal by the sound such as clapping can beoutput, and this extends the range of an operation, capable of realizingmore complex and interesting operations.

The above described features and other features, aspects and advantagesof the present invention will become more apparent from the followingdetailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view showing an operating apparatus for a gamemachine of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing a part of the operating apparatus fora game machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view when viewing from above a part of the operatingapparatus for a game machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a part of a cross-sectional view of a part of the operatingapparatus for a game machine shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a part of the cross-sectional view of the part of theoperating apparatus for a game machine shown in FIG. 3 and anillustrative view showing one example of a case that an operation by aplayer is present;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view when viewing from obliquely above a rearsurface of the operating apparatus for a game machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a rear surface view of the operating apparatus for a gamemachine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an illustrative view showing one example of a state in whichthe operating apparatus for a game machine shown in FIG. 1 is used;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of theoperating apparatus for a game machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an illustrative view showing a format of an operation signalto be input to the game machine from the operating apparatus for thegame machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is an illustrative view showing another example of the operatingapparatus for the game machine of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an illustrative view showing one example of a state in whichthe operating apparatus for a game machine shown in FIG. 11 is used;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of theoperating apparatus for a game machine shown in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 14 is an illustrative view showing the other example of theoperating apparatus for a game machine of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, an operating apparatus for a game machine 10(hereinafter, to be referred as “operating apparatus”) of one embodimentof the present invention is in the form of percussion musicalinstruments (conga or drum). The operating apparatus 10 includes a body12, and the body 12 consists of a first housing 14 in the form of abarrel, a second housing 16 having approximately the same size and thesame shape as the first housing 14, and a third housing 18 that couplesthe first housing 14 and the second housing 16, is formed in the form ofquadratic prism (a rectangular parallelepiped), and is smaller than thefirst housing 14 and the second housing 16.

Furthermore, on the upper surface (top surface) of the first housing 14and the second housing 16, covers 20 and 22 are respectively provided.Areas covered by the covers 20 and 22 are areas (operating areas) oroperation input portions to be operated (beaten) by a player or a user.That is, the operating apparatus 10 has two operation input portions onthe upper surface of the first housing 14 and on the upper surface ofthe second housing 16. For example, the covers 20 and 22 are made ofrubber, and elastically changed in shape according to a beatingoperation by the player or the user, and then restored to an originalshape.

It is noted that although illustration is omitted in FIG. 1, on theupper surface of the third housing 3, a microphone 62 (see FIG. 9) orhole for collecting sounds into the microphone 62 is provided. In a caseof providing the hole for collecting sounds, the microphone 62 is setinside of the third housing 18 or is set such that its sound collectingportion is exposed from the hole. It is noted that the microphone 62 isprovided within the third housing 18 in this embodiment. However, it maybe provided in the first housing 14 or the second housing 16 except forwithin its operating area to be operated by the user (operation inputportion).

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a part of the operating apparatus 10.That is, this is an exploded view as to the first housing 14, and forthe sake of simplicity, this is omitted as to the second housing 16 andthe third housing 18. It is noted that the second housing 16 isapproximately symmetrically formed with the first housing 14.

Referring to FIG. 2, a part of the body 12 consists of a front surfacepanel 120, a back surface panel 122, and a bottom surface panel 124. Thefront surface panel 120 includes an upper surface (top surface) panel120 a, and on the upper surface panel 120 a, a plurality of holes (five,in this embodiment) 120 b are provided. The front surface panel 120 andthe back surface panel 122 are structured so as to be secured by screws.Accordingly, a part of the body 12 is formed by securing the frontsurface panel 120 and the back surface panel 122 with the screws suchthat the bottom surface panel 124 is supported by being sandwichedbetween the front surface panel 120 and the back surface panel 122.

It is noted that the cover 120 c is fit into the front surface panel 120so as to cover the portion secured by the screws (see FIG. 1).

On the upper surface panel 120 a, switch boards 24 and 26 having adifferent size are provided, and these switch boards 24 and 26 arefixedly arranged (housed) at predetermined positions of the uppersurface panel 120 a. Although omitted in FIG. 2, each of the switchboards 24 and 26 has two contacts (24 a, 24 a and 26 a, 26 a) (see FIG.4).

On each of the switch boards 24 and 26, two rubber switches 28 arearranged, and the respective rubber switches 28 are joined to edges ofdepressing protrusions 32 c and 34 c described later. Although omittedin FIG. 2, on the rear surface of the rubber switch 28, a contact 28 ais provided, and each rubber switch 28 is provided at a position opposedto each of the contacts (24 a, 24 a, 26 a, 26 a) of the switch boards 24and 26 (see FIG. 4).

On the respective rubber switches 28, a lid 30 of the first housing 14is provided, and this is attached on the front surface panel 120 so asto cover the upper surface panel 120 a, the switch boards 24, 26, andthe rubber switches 28. The lid 30 is provided with five holes 30 a thatengaging protrusions 32 b and 34 b described later penetrate, and fourholes 30 b that the rubber switches 28 arranged at the positions opposedto the depressing protrusions 32 c and 34 c penetrate.

On the lid 30, depressing members 32 and 34 having a different size areprovided, and over this, the cover 20 to be attached to the lid 30 isfurther provided. As shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 being a part of across-sectional view IV-IV of FIG. 3, the depressing portion 32 has itsmain body 32 a in the form of a crescent, and is provided with threeengaging protrusions 32 b and two depressing protrusions 32 c thatdownwardly protruded from the main body 34 a. Furthermore, thedepressing member 34 has its main body 34 a in the form of a dichotomy,and is provided with three engaging protrusions 34 b and two depressingprotrusions 34 c that are downwardly protruded from the main body 34 a.

FIG. 3 is a view when viewing the first housing 14 and the cover 20 fromdirectly above. The engaging protrusions 32 b, the depressingprotrusions 32 c, the engaging protrusions 34 b and the depressingprotrusions 34 c are arranged at positions shown in FIG. 3. Asunderstood from FIG. 3, the three depressing protrusions 32 b areprovided at the edges (both right and left edges and lower edge) of themain body 32 a of the depressing member 32, and the two depressingprotrusions 32 c are provided between the three engaging protrusions 32b. Furthermore, the three engaging protrusions 34 b are provided at theedges (both right and left edges and upper edge) of the main body 34 aof the depressing member 34, and the two depressing protrusions 34 c areprovided between the three engaging protrusions 34 b. In addition, asshown in FIG. 4, the engaging protrusion 34 b (this is true for theprotrusion 32 b) penetrates the hole 30 a on the lid 30 and the hole 120b on the upper surface panel 120 a such that its engaging portion 340provided at the tip end penetrates the upper panel 120 a (the inside ofthe first housing 14). It is noted that the lid 30 is attached to theupper surface panel 120 a, and whereby, the holes 120 b are formedinside the holes 30 a. Furthermore, the depressing protrusions 32 c andthe depressing protrusions 34 c are provided so as to depress the rubberswitches 28 arranged within the holes 30 b of the lid 30. That is, eachof the rubber switches 28 is housed within the first housing 14 suchthat its surface (surface to be connected with the depressing protrusion32 c and the depressing protrusion 34 c) is exposed from the hole (30 b)of the first housing 14.

It is noted that the tip ends of the depressing protrusions 32 c and 34c are arranged in such a manner as to be brought into contact with therubber switches 28 as shown in FIG. 4. Or, these may be joined by afitting structure or an adhesive or the both thereof. Accordingly, thedepressing members 32 and 34 are supported by the rubber switches 28.Furthermore, in FIG. 4, the rubber switches 28 are illustrated so as tosupport with two legs of the depressing member 34. However, this is madeto simplify the contacts 26 a and 28 a, and the legs of the rubberswitch 28 are actually formed like an umbrella so as to surround thecontact 26 a and to cover with it.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the engaging protrusion 34 b(it is true for the engaging protrusion 32 b) is provided with a notch(slit) 342, and thus, each of the engaging protrusions 32 b and 34 b isreduced in diameter when penetrating the hole 120 b, and then restoredwhen having penetrated the hole 120 b. Then, the engaging portion 340 isengaged with the rear surface (inner wall of the first housing 14) ofthe upper surface panel 120 a. This makes it possible to prevent thedepressing members 32 and 34 from being disengaged.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5 (A), when the player beats the rightside of the operating apparatus 10 (cover 20), the cover 20 iselastically changed, and then the right side of the depressing member 34(this is true for the depressing member 32) is apt to be depressed. Atthis time, the engaging portion 340 of the engaging protrusion 34 bprovided at the left side of the depressing member 34 is engaged withthe rear surface of the upper surface panel 120 a. This makes itpossible to prevent the depressing member 34 from being upwardlyactuated. Accordingly, the depressing member 34 at the right side isdownwardly actuated, and the rubber switch 28 at the right side isdepressed by the depressing member 34 c so as to be brought into contactwith the switch board 26. That is, the contact 26 a and the contact 28 aare brought into contact with each other.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), when the player beats the left sideof the operating apparatus 10 (cover 20), the cover 20 is elasticallychanged, and the left side of the depressing member 34 (this is true forthe depressing member 32) is apt to be depressed. At this time, theengaging portion 340 of the engaging protrusion 34 b provided at theright side of the depressing member 34 is engaged with the rear surfaceof the upper surface panel 120 a. This makes it possible to prevent thedepressing member 34 from being upwardly actuated. Accordingly, when thedepressing member 34 at the left side is downwardly actuated, the rubberswitch 28 at the left side is depressed by the depressing member 34 c soas to bring the contact 28 a of the rubber switch 28 into contact withthe contact 26 a of the switch board 26.

That is, even if the depressing member 34 (this is true for thedepressing member 32) is beaten at any position (area), at least oneengaging portion 340 of the engaging protrusion 34 b (32 b) except forthe engaging protrusion 34 b provided at the beaten area or in proximitythereto is engaged with the rear surface of the upper surface panel 120a. Due to this, when a beating operation by the player is present, thedepressing member 34 (32) is depressed, a contact 28 a of any rubberswitch 28 is sure to be brought into contact with the contact 26 a ofthe switch board 26 (contact 24 a of the switch board 24).

More specifically, when the left half area of the operating apparatus 10(cover 20) shown in FIG. 5 is beaten at any position, the engagingportion 340 of the engaging protrusion 34 b at the right side of thedepressing member 34 is engaged with the rear surface of the uppersurface panel 120 a, the left side of the depressing member 34 isdownwardly actuated, the rubber switch 28 at the left side is depressedby the depressing member 34 c, and the contact 28 a of the rubber switch28 is brought into contact with the contact 26 a of the switch board 26at the left side. On the contrary thereto, when the right half area ofthe operating apparatus 10 (cover 20) is beaten at any position, theengaging portion 340 of the engaging protrusion 34 b at the left side ofthe depressing member 34 is engaged with the rear surface of the uppersurface panel 120 a, the right side of the depressing member 34 isdownwardly actuated, the rubber switch 28 at the right side is depressedby the depressing member 34 c, and the contact 28 a of the rubber switch28 is brought into contact with the contact 26 a of the switch board 26at the right side. Furthermore, when the center area of the operatingapparatus 10 (cover 20) is beaten at any position, the depressing member34 is approximately uniformly depressed at both the right and leftsides, the rubber switches 28 at the right and the left sides aredepressed by the depressing members 34 c, and thus, both of the contacts28 a of the rubber switches 28 are brought into contact with thecontacts 26 a of the switch boards 26.

Owing to the structure of this apparatus, even if the cover 20 and thedepressing member 34 (32) have a large area, and even if the operatingapparatus 10 (cover 20) is beaten at any place (area), by merelypreparing a relatively small number of rubber switches (for example, onefor each of the right and the left), any one of the rubber switches issure to be depressed. This makes it possible to output the sameoperation signal.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the rear surface of the operatingapparatus 10 when viewed from obliquely above. Referring to FIG. 6, onthe rear surface or the bottom surface panel 124 of the operatingapparatus 10, a housing concave portion 124 a for housing a connector 36(plug) for connecting the operating apparatus 10 to the game machine 100and a part of a cable 38 (see FIG. 8) are formed. On the housing concaveportion 124 a, a plurality of pinch protrusions 124 b (three, in thisembodiment) are formed at a (part) position where the cable 38 ishoused. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the pinch protrusions 124b are arranged so as to be shifted from each other on both sides of thehousing concave portion 124 a. As shown in FIG. 1, the third housing 18is formed so as to be smaller than the first housing 14 and the secondhousing 16, and the difference in size produces a housing concaveportion (narrow part of the operating apparatus 10) 128 between thefirst housing 14 and the second housing 16.

It is noted that one end of the cable 38 is connected to the plug 36,and the other end of the cable 38 is connected to a mounting boardhoused within the housing 18.

As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in the first embodiment, the housingconcave portion 124 a is provided at the bottom surface panels 124 ofboth housings 14, 16. Alternatively, the housing concave portion 124 ais provided at the bottom surface panel 124 of the only one housing.

Accordingly, when the operating apparatus 10 is not used, the cable 38is wrapped around the narrow part 128, that is, the third housing 18,and a part of the cable 38 and the plug 36 can be housed within thehousing concave portion 124 a as shown in FIG. 7. At this time, a partof the cable 38 is pinched by the pinch protrusions 124 b as if itsnakes, so that a force to restore to an original shape of the cable 38works to hold the cable 38 in place. This makes it possible to preventthe part of the cable 38 and the plug 36 from being disengaged from thehousing concave portion 124 a. That is, it is possible to house thecable with a simple structure. Thus, the plug 36 and the cable 38 arehoused and held within the housing concave portions 124 a and 128, sothat the plug 36 and the cable 38 do not protrude from the operatingapparatus 10, capable of preventing the operating apparatus 10 frombeing bulky. That is, it is possible to efficiently house the plug andthe cable. The housing concave portions 124 a are provided on the rearsurface of the operating apparatus 10, that is, the bottom surface ofthe first housing 14 and the second body 16, so that when using theoperating apparatus 10 to be described later, the housing concaveportion 124 a is inconspicuous.

On the contrary thereto, when using the operating apparatus 10, as shownin FIG. 8, the plug 36 and a part of the cable 38 are disengaged fromthe housing concave portion 124 a, the other part of the cable 38 isuntied from the narrow part 128, and then, the plug 36 is inserted(connected) into a connector 102 provided at the front surface panel ofthe game machine 100. Although not illustrated, the game machine 100 isconnected to a television receiver, and so on by an AV cable, andtherefore, a game screen to be executed by the game machine 100 isdisplayed on the television receiver, and music, a sound (sound effect)to be played in the game is output from the speaker.

For example, the player beats the operating apparatus 10, that is, thefirst operation input portion and the second operating portion accordingto the guide of the game screen and the music (sound) of the game, andgenerates a sound such as clapping, a voice, or the like toward themicrophone 62, and so forth. Then, an operation signal in response tothe beating operation and a sound generation operation signal inresponse to the generation of the sound are output to the game machine100. This makes it possible to select the kind of the game, to start thegame, to play the game, and so forth.

FIG. 9 shows an electric configuration of the operating apparatus 10.Referring to FIG. 9, the operating apparatus 10 includes a controller IC50, and the controller IC 50 is connected with a first button 52, asecond button 54, a third button 56, and a fourth button 58. The end ofthe cable 38 described above, to which the plug 36 is not connected, isconnected to the controller IC 50. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 8, byinserting the plug 36 into the connector 102 of the game machine 100,the controller IC 50 is electrically connected to the game machine 100as shown in FIG. 9. Furthermore, the controller IC 50 is connected withthe microphone 62 via an operational amplifier 60.

The first button 52 and the second button 54 are provided within thefirst housing 14, and in this embodiment, the first button 52 consistsof the switch board 24 and two rubber switches 28 provided on the switchboard 24 (being opposed thereto). The second button 54 consists of theswitch board 26 and two rubber switches 28 provided to be opposed to theswitch board 26.

The third button 56 and the fourth button 58 are provided within thesecond housing 16. In this embodiment, the third button 56 isconstructed similarly to the first button 52, and the fourth button 58is constructed similarly to the second button 54.

Thus, in this operating apparatus 10, the player can perform variousoperations by using any one of the first button 52-the fourth button 58or a combination of two or more thereof. In response to the beatingoperation by the player, a state signal indicative of an on/off state ofthe first button 52-the fourth button 54 is input to the control IC 50.Then, an operation signal corresponding to the beating operation isoutput to the game machine 100 from the controller IC 50.

In the operating apparatus 10, when the player generates a sound byclapping or a voice, the sound is input to the microphone 62, amplifiedin the operation amplifier 60, and then, input to the controller IC 50.Thus, the operation signal according to the generation of the sound isoutput from the controller IC 50 to the game machine 100.

Thus, the player can not only perform a beating operation but alsoperform a sound operation (play a sound) such as clapping, a voice, andso on during the beating operation, and this extends the range of anoperation, capable of realizing more complex and interesting operations.

It is noted that the controller IC 50 is mounted on the mounting board,and the mounting board is, as described above, attached to the thirdhousing 18. The switch boards 24 and 26 attached to each of the firsthousing 14 and the second housing 16 are subjected to a wire connectionwith the mounting board, and whereby, the respective buttons 52-58 areelectronically connected to the controller IC 50.

FIG. 10 shows one example of a format of the operation signal outputfrom the controller IC 50 to the game machine 100. It is noted that theoperation signal has a format corresponding to a standard controller ofthe game machine 100 (“GAME CUBE” (trade name) that ismanufactured/marketed by the assignee of the present invention in thisembodiment). Although not illustrated, the controller is provided withtwo analog joysticks (control stick and C stick), a cross key, an Abutton, a B button, an X button, a Y button, a Z button, an L triggerbutton, an R trigger button, and a START/PAUSE button, and so on.

As understood from FIG. 10, the operation signal consists of 8 bytes. Asto the first byte (1st byte), data of “0”, “0”, “ORG_CH”, “START”, “Y”,“X”, “B”, and “A” are written into bit 7 (b7) to bit 0 (b0),respectively. Bit 7 and bit 6 are fixed values of “0.” The dataindicative of an on/off state of the setting mode “ORG_CH” is writteninto bit 5. In this embodiment, if the setting mode “ORG_CH” is turnedon, “1” is written, and if the setting mode “ORG_CH” is turned off, “0”is written. Herein, the “ORG_CH” is a variable for setting a mode(setting mode) determining whether or not the standard position(original point (neutral position) of the joystick) is reset. Dataindicative of an on/off state of the START button, the Y button, the Xbutton, the B button, and the A button are respectively written into bit4-bit 0. In this embodiment, if the button is turned on, “1” is writteninto the relevant bit, and if the button is turned off, “0” is writteninto the relevant bit.

As to the second byte (2nd byte), data of “FIN”, “L”, “R”, “Z”, “UP”,“DOWN”, “RIGHT”, and “LEFT” are written into bit 7 (b7)-bit 0 (b0),respectively. Data indicative of an on/off state of a mode “FIN” foridentifying a controller is written into bit 7. In this embodiment, whena standard controller is present, “1” indicative of the on state iswritten, and when the operating apparatus 10 (percussion musicalinstruments shape controller) is present, “0” indicative of the offstate is written. Into bit 6-bit 0, data indicative of an on/off stateof the L trigger button, the R trigger button, the Z button, the UPbutton, the DOWN button, the RIGHT button, and the LEFT button arerespectively written. The data values to be written to the respectivebits are the same as in the above-described Y button, and so on.

It is noted that the UP button, the DOWN button, the RIGHT button, andthe LEFT button correspond to the respective buttons of the cross key.

Into the third byte (3rd byte), data indicative of an amount ofinclination of the control stick toward an X direction is written bybinary data utilizing 8 bits in all. Accordingly, the inclination towardthe X direction is represented by numerals in the “00000000” (“0” in adecimal numeral)-“11111111” (“255”) range. For example, if the controlstick is inclined to the left, it is close to “0”, and if the controlstick is inclined to the right, it is close to “255”.

It is noted that in a default setting, the neutral position isrepresented by “128 (0100000)”, and if the value is smaller than this,it is shown that the control stick is inclined toward the leftdirection, and if the value is greater than this, it is shown that thecontrol stick is inclined toward the right direction. The amount of theinclination can be detected by a difference between the obtained datavalue and the data value at the neutral position.

Into the fourth byte (4th byte), data indicative of an amount ofinclination of the control stick toward a Y direction is written bybinary data utilizing 8 bits in all. Accordingly, the inclination towardthe Y direction is also represented by numerals in the “00000000” (“0”in a decimal numeral) to “11111111” (“255”) range. For example, if thecontrol stick is downwardly inclined, it is close to “0”, and if thecontrol stick is upwardly inclined, it is close to “255”.

It is noted that in a default setting, the neutral position isrepresented by “128 (0100000)”, and if the value is smaller than this,it is shown that the control stick is downwardly inclined, and if thevalue is greater than this, it is shown that the control stick isupwardly inclined. The amount of the inclination can be detected by adifference between the obtained data value and the data value at theneutral position.

Into the fifth byte (5th byte), data indicative of an amount ofinclination of the C stick toward an X direction is written by binarydata utilizing 8 bits in all. Furthermore, into the sixth byte (6thbyte), data indicative of an amount of inclination of the C stick towarda Y direction is written by binary data utilizing 8 bits in all. Thesedata value is decided similarly to the above-described control stick.

Into the seventh byte (7th byte), data indicative of an amount of thedepression of the L trigger button is written by binary data utilizing 8bits in all. The data value when the L trigger button is not depressedis “00000000”, and the data value is rendered greater in accordance withthe amount of the depression. That is, the data value when depressed atthe maximum renders “11111111”.

Into the eighth byte (8th byte), data indicative of an amount of thedepression of the R trigger button is written by binary data utilizing 8bits in all. The data value is decided similarly to the above-describedL trigger button.

The format of the operation signal is shown like this; the operatingapparatus 10 is not provided with the joystick, the Y button, the Xbutton, the B button, and the A button, but it alternately outputs tothe game machine 100 an operation signal indicative of an on/off stateof the first button 52-the fourth button 58, an operation signal inresponse to a generation of the sound to the microphone 62, and acontroller identifying mode, and therefore, the data of the first byteto the third byte are utilized, for example. More specifically, withrespect to the first byte, data indicative of an on/off state of thefirst button 52 is written to bit 3, data indicative of an on/off stateof the second button 54 is written to bit 2, data indicative of anon/off state of the third button 56 is written to bit 1, and dataindicative of an on/off state of the fourth button 58 is written to bit0. Furthermore, data “0” for identifying the operating apparatus 10(percussion musical instruments shape controller) is written to bit 7 ofthe second byte. In addition, data indicative of the presence or absenceof a sound input to the microphone 62 is written to bit 0 of the secondbyte. It is noted that bit 0 needs not be used, and any one of bit 6-bit0 is appropriate to be used. This is because the operating apparatus 10is not provided with the L trigger button, the R trigger button, the Zbutton, and the cross key. Or, in place of outputting the presence orabsence of the sound input, data of loudness of the sound (volume) maybe output to the game machine 100. In this case, the data value(“00000000”-“11111111”) corresponding to the volume is written to thethird byte.

It is noted that although not illustrated, the operating apparatus 10 isprovided with a START/PAUSE button, and therefore, the data indicativeof an on/off state is written to bit 4 of the first byte.

In the first embodiment, the controller IC 50 used for the standardcontroller is adopted, and therefore, by changing the on/off state ofthe controller identifying mode “FIN”, it becomes possible to determinewhether the controller is the standard controller or the operatingapparatus 10 (percussion musical instruments shape controller) in thegame machine 100, and this allows the format described by use of FIG. 10to be used for the operating apparatus 10. Alternatively, it is enoughto transmit the data of the first byte and the third byte as describedabove in this embodiment, and therefore, it may be possible that anothercontroller IC is developed in addition to the controller IC 50 so as tobe adopted.

Furthermore, a circuit for setting a threshold (sensitivity) of aloudness of a sound to be input to the microphone 62 is provided to thecontroller IC 50, and when the loudness of the sound to be input isequal to or more than a threshold value, the input sound data isrendered valid, and when it is equal to or less than the thresholdvalue, the input sound data is rendered invalid. This makes it possibleto effectively prevent a noise about the environment, and the like frombeing input erroneously. Furthermore, a sensitivity adjustment knobconstructed of a variable resistor, and so on is provided to theoperating apparatus 10, and by operating the sensitivity adjustmentknob, the threshold value can be set and changed. This makes it possibleto change the threshold value according to the loudness of the noiseabout the environment to set a proper threshold value, and toeffectively prevent the noise about the environment from being inputerroneously.

According to the first embodiment, the engaging protrusion is providedto the depressing member, and therefore, at a time of performing abeating operation, the rubber switch is sure to be brought into contactwith the switch board without the depressing member being upwardlyactuated. That is, it is possible to assuredly perform the inputoperation. Furthermore, the depressing member is supported by only therubber switches, allowing the user to operate the operating apparatuswith a relatively small load.

In addition, within the housing concave portion provided on the rearsurface of the operating apparatus, the pinch protrusions are arrangedso as to be shifted from each other on both side surfaces for housingthe cable, and therefore, it is possible to prevent the plug and thecable housed from being disengaged from the operating apparatus.

Furthermore, the cable is wrapped around the narrow part of theoperating apparatus, and the plug and a part of the cable are housedwithin the housing concave portion provided on the rear surface of theoperating apparatus, capable of preventing the operating apparatus frombeing bulky. That is, it is easily portable.

In addition, the player can input not only an operation signal inresponse to the beating operation but also an operation signal inresponse to a sound, and this extends the range of an operation, capableof realizing more complex and interesting operations.

The operating apparatus 10 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 11 (A)and FIG. 11 (B) is the same as the above-described first embodimentexcept that the second housing 16 is detachably constructed, andtherefore, a duplicate description is omitted. Referring with FIG. 11(A) and FIG. 11 (B), in the operating apparatus 10 of the secondembodiment, the first housing 14 and the third housing 18 are integrallyconstructed, and the second housing 16 is structured so it can bedetached from the third housing 18.

It is noted that FIG. 11 (A) is a perspective view showing the operatingapparatus 10 when viewing the upper surface of the operating apparatus10 from obliquely above, and FIG. 11 (B) is a perspective view showingthe operating apparatus 10 when viewing the rear surface of theoperating apparatus from obliquely above.

Describing the structure in detail, as shown in FIG. 11 (A), on a sidesurface of the third housing 18, a connector 18 a is provided, and asshown in FIG. 11 (B), on a side surface of the second housing 16, aconnector 16 a to be fitted with the connector 18 a is provided.

For example, when the connector 16 a of one operating apparatus and theconnector 18 a of the other operating apparatus are fitted and directlyconnected with each other, both apparatuses can be used as one operatingapparatus similarly to the operating apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1. Asshown in FIG. 11 (A) and FIG. 11 (B), when the connector 16 a of oneoperating apparatus and the connector 18 a of the other operatingapparatus are detached from each other, both apparatuses can be used astwo operating apparatuses (for the sake of clear understanding, theoperating apparatus 10 a and the operating apparatus 10 b). It is notedthat in the case of separately utilizing the operating apparatus 10 aand the operating apparatus 10 b, by indirectly connecting the operatingapparatus 10 a and the operating apparatus 10 b, an operation signal ofthe operating apparatus 10 b, that is, a state signal indicative of anon/off state of the third button 56 and the fourth button 58 needs to beinput to the controller I/C 50.

Accordingly, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, a connectingcable 40 having connectors that are detachably connected to therespective connectors 16 a and 18 a is utilized. It is noted thatalthough a description of a detailed shape of the connectors provided tothe connecting cable 40 is omitted, it is appropriate that connectorshaving the same shape as the connectors 16 a and 18 a are used. Thus, byindirectly connecting the second housing 16 and the third housing 18with use of the connecting cable 40, the third button 56 and the fourthbutton 58 are electrically connected to the controller IC 50.

It is noted that although in the second embodiment, the second housing16 and the third housing 18 are electrically connected by use of thecable, there is no need to be restricted thereto. That is, anothermethod such as connecting via an electromagnetic wave (for example,electric wave or infrared rays) in a wireless manner may be applied.

Although not illustrated, the structure, and etc. of the depressingmembers 32 and 34, and the like that is provided between the uppersurface panel 120 a and the cover 20 (22) are the same as that in thefirst embodiment. Accordingly, it is possible for the player toassuredly input a beating operation with a relatively small load.

Similarly, although not illustrated, in a case where the operatingapparatus 10 is not used, the second housing 16 and the third housing 18are directly connected, the cable 38 is wrapped around the narrow part128, that is, the third housing 18 formed between the first housing 14and the second housing 16, and the plug 36 and a part of the cable 38are housed within the housing concave portion 124 a. This allows theoperating apparatus 10 to be easily portable without being bulky as inthe first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, an electric configuration of the operatingapparatus 10 is shown in FIG. 13. Referring to FIG. 13, the connector 18a is provided to the operating apparatus 10 a, and the connector 16 a isprovided to the operating apparatus 10 b as described above. Theconnector 16 a and the connector 18 a are directly connected with eachother. Or, the connector 16 a and the connector 18 a are connected witheach other by the connecting cable 40. These configurations make itpossible to electrically connect the third button 56 and the fourthbutton 58 to the controller IC 50.

It is noted that the structure and the operation except for theabove-description is the same as that in the first embodiment, andtherefore, a duplicate description is omitted.

According to the second embodiment, the operating apparatus can bedivided so as to be used as two operating apparatuses, and therefore,even if two players enjoy playing a game, each player's ability tooperate is not reduced.

It is noted that in the second embodiment, by connecting the secondhousing 16 and the third housing 18 with the cable, a beating operationsignal from the operating apparatus 10 b can be input. However, if acontroller IC independent of the controller IC 50 is prepared to thesecond housing 16, the operating apparatus 10 b can be directlyconnected to the game machine 100. In this case, by electrically ormechanically determining whether the operating apparatus is used as oneoperating apparatus or two operating apparatuses, any one of thecontroller ICs has to be activated/disabled, resulting in difficulty ofcontrol. Furthermore, another problem is that the operating apparatus isexpensive.

In addition, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, only acase in which the operating apparatus 10 is used by being connected tothe game machine 100 is described. However, if the operating apparatus10 is integrally provided with a storage medium (ROM) for storing a gameprogram and so on, a memory, and a CPU for processing a program of agame program and so on, it is possible to enjoy playing a game bydirectly connecting the operating apparatus 10 to a television receiver.

In this case, as show in FIG. 14, for example, an AV cable 42 extendsfrom the operating apparatus 10 (third housing 18), and plugs 42 a thatare provided at the tip end thereof and relate to an image and a soundare connected to AV terminals 202 of a television receiver 200.

Although not illustrated, the shape of the housing concave portion 124is also changed so as to house the AV cable 42. That is, the AV cable 42is provided with one plug for image and two plugs for sound, andtherefore, a housing concave portion for separately housing therespective plugs and a housing concave portion for separately housingthe respective connecting cables connected with the respective plugsneed to be formed. In addition, each of the housing portions for cableis provided with the pinch protrusions described above on both sidesurfaces thereof.

It is noted that as shown in the second embodiment, it is needless tosay that this is applied to a case in which the second housing 16 isstructured so as to be detachable from the third housing 18. In thiscase, for example, it is appropriate that the above-described ROM,memory, CPU and so on may be provided within the first housing 14.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated indetail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustrationand example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spiritand scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms ofthe appended claims.

1.-12. (canceled)
 13. A reconfigurable operating apparatus for a gamemachine to be used by being connected to a game machine, comprising: afirst housing provided with a first operation input portion on its mainsurface; a second housing provided with a second operation input portionon its main surface; a first connector formed in said first housing; asecond connector that is detachably connected to said first connectingmeans and is formed on said second housing; a detector to detect if saidfirst connector is directly or indirectly connected to said secondconnector, wherein said first housing and said second housing areconfigurable as one operating apparatus for a game machine to control afirst player's game input when said detector detects that said firstconnector and said second connector are directly connected with eachother, and wherein said first housing and said second housing areconfigurable as two separate operating apparatuses for a game machine torespectively control a first player's and a second player's game inputwhen said detector detects that said first connector and said secondconnector are indirectly connected.
 14. An operating apparatus for agame machine according to claim 13, further comprising: a first cableconnected to the inside of said first housing at one end and having aconnector to be connected to said game machine at the other end; asecond cable detachably connected to said second connector at one endand having a connector to be connected to said first connector at theother end, wherein, when said first housing and said second housing areused separately as two operating apparatuses for a game machine, saidsecond cable is detachably connected to said second connector.
 15. Anoperating apparatus for a game machine to be used by being detachablyconnected to a game machine, comprising: a housing; a percussionoperation input portion that is provided on one main surface of saidhousing and elastically changed according to an operation by anoperator; a sound input portion provided on an area different from anarea provided with said percussion operation input portion of saidhousing, and for inputting a sound generated by the operator andunassociated with the striking of any elastically changeable percussioninput portion; and an operation signal transmitting mechanism fortransmitting to said game machine an operation signal to be output inresponse to the operation at said percussion operation input portion andthe sound generating operation signal to be output in response to asound input by said sound input portion.
 16. A game machine having anoperating apparatus connected thereto, the operating apparatuscomprising: a housing provided with a plurality of holes on its surface;an operation input portion that is provided on an upper surface of saidhousing and is elastically changed in response to a percussion operationby an operator; a depressing member that is placed between said housingand said operation input portion, provided with a plurality of engagingprotrusions that engage an inside wall of said housing through saidholes of said housing at both ends thereof in such a manner as toprotrude downwardly, and provided with a plurality of depressingprotrusions in such a manner as to protrude downwardly between saidplurality of engaging protrusions; a board housed within said housing;at least more than one elastic member that is housed within said housingsuch that its surface is exposed through said hole of said housing,arranged at a position opposed to said depressing protrusion, and has arear surface thereof being opposed to said board; a first contact thatformed on the rear surface of said elastic member; a second contactformed in a manner so as to be opposed to said first contact on saidboard, wherein said depressing member is depressed in response to apercussion operation by said operator, said elastic member is depressedby said depressing protrusion, said first contact is brought intocontact with said second contact, and whereby, an operation signal isoutput.
 17. A game machine according to claim 16, wherein said operatingapparatus further comprises: a cable that is connected to the inside ofsaid housing at one end and has a connector to be connected to said gamemachine at the other end; a first housing concave portion formed on theother main surface of said housing which houses said cable and saidconnector, wherein said first housing concave portion is provided with aplurality of pinch protrusions for pinching both sides of said cable ata position where said cable is housed.
 18. A game machine according toclaim 17, wherein said plurality of pinch protrusions are formed in sucha manner as to be shifted from each other on both side surfaces of saidfirst housing concave portion.
 19. A game machine according to claim 17,wherein: said operation input portion has a first operation inputportion and a second operation input portion, said housing includes afirst housing provided with said first operation input portion, a secondhousing provided with said second operation input portion and havingapproximately the same size as said first housing, and a third housingto be coupled with said first housing and said second housing and beingsmaller than said first housing and said second housing, wherein saidfirst housing concave portion is formed on at least one of said firsthousing and said second housing, said second housing concave portion isformed due to a difference between a size of said first housing and saidsecond housing and a size of said third housing, said cable extends fromsaid third housing, said cable is wrapped around said third housing soas to be housed within said second housing concave portion, and saidconnector and a part of said cable are fitted into said first concaveportion, and whereby, said cable and said connector are housed and held.20. A game machine according to claim 19, wherein said first operationinput portion and said second operation input portion are respectivelyprovided on the upper surfaces of said first housing and said secondhousing, and said first housing concave portion is formed on the bottomsurface of at least one of said first housing and said second housing.21. A game machine according to claim 19, wherein said operatingapparatus further comprises: a first connector formed on said thirdhousing; and a second connector detachably connected to said firstconnector and formed on said second housing, wherein when said firstconnector and said second connector are directly connected with eachother, said first housing and said second housing can be used as oneoperating apparatus for a game machine, and when said first connectorand said second connector are indirectly connected, said first housingand said second housing can be used separately as two operatingapparatuses for a game machine.
 22. A game machine according to claim21, wherein said first housing and said second housing are usedseparately as two operating apparatuses for a game machine, a connectingcable for connecting to said first connector is detachably connected tosaid second connector.
 23. A game machine according to claim 19, whereinsaid operating apparatus further comprises a sound input portionprovided on an upper surface of said third housing for inputting a soundto be generated by said operator, and wherein an operation signalaccording to a sound input by said sound input portion is output.
 24. Agame machine having a reconfigurable operating apparatus connectedthereto, the reconfigurable operating apparatus comprising: a firsthousing provided with a first operation input portion on its mainsurface; a second housing provided with a second operation input portionon its main surface; a first connector formed in said first housing; asecond connector that is detachably connected to said first connectingmeans and is formed on said second housing; a detector to detect if saidfirst connector is directly or indirectly connected to said secondconnector, wherein said first housing and said second housing areconfigurable as one operating apparatus for a game machine to control afirst player's game input when said detector detects that said firstconnector and said second connector are directly connected with eachother, and wherein said first housing and said second housing areconfigurable as two separate operating apparatuses for a game machine torespectively control a first player's and a second player's game inputwhen said detector detects that said first connector and said secondconnector are indirectly connected.
 25. A game machine according toclaim 24, the reconfigurable operating apparatus further comprising: afirst cable connected to the inside of said first housing at one end andhaving a connector to be connected to said game machine at the otherend; a second cable detachably connected to said second connector at oneend and having a connector to be connected to said first connector atthe other end, wherein, when said first housing and said second housingare used separately as two operating apparatuses for a game machine,said second cable is detachably connected to said second connector. 26.A game machine having an operating apparatus detachably connectedthereto, the operating apparatus comprising: a housing; a percussionoperation input portion that is provided on one main surface of saidhousing and elastically changed according to an operation by anoperator; a sound input portion provided on an area different from anarea provided with said percussion operation input portion of saidhousing, and for inputting a sound generated by the operator andunassociated with the striking of any elastically changeable percussioninput portion; and an operation signal transmitting mechanism fortransmitting to said game machine an operation signal to be output inresponse to the operation at said percussion operation input portion andthe sound generating operation signal to be output in response to asound input by said sound input portion.